WATERVILLE — A woman who had been treated for minor injuries after a car accident Monday night was caught with her boyfriend stealing items from the emergency room, police said.

Waterville Police Deputy Chief Charles Rumsey said Faith O’Connor, 37, and Griffin Ringle, 21, both of 9 Walnut St., Waterville, were confronted by nurses at MaineGeneral Medical Center’s Thayer Campus on North Street, who told police they saw the pair taking items and stuffing them into their knapsacks.

Rumsey said the items — gauze pads, tape, a flashlight, a bottle of hydrogen peroxide, large bandages, alcohol prep wipes and a digital thermometer — were valued about $55.

Officer Robert Bouley arrived at the hospital about 9:50 p.m. after the staff called police.

“It was obvious when officer Bouley arrived that the hospital staff was not happy about these people stealing from them while they were in the act of trying to render medical assistance, and wanted them charged with theft,” Rumsey said. “You don’t mess around with ER nurses.”

O’Connor and Ringle were summoned on charges of theft by taking or unlawful transfer, a class E misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail and up to $1,000 in fines. The couple is scheduled to appear in Waterville District Court on Feb. 21.

Rumsey said O’Connor and Griffen were crossing Armory Road on Monday at about 6:10 p.m. when O’Connor was struck by a car. She suffered minor injuries and was taken by ambulance to the emergency room.

Rumsey said the driver of the car, Donald Robbins, 54, of Vassalboro, does not face any charges, because an investigation of the accident found the driver could not reasonably have stopped in time.

“They weren’t using a crosswalk, and they were both wearing dark clothing,” Rumsey said.

Ben McCanna — 861-9239

bmccanna@centralmaine.com